Field Screener Equipment in the Optical Industry for Eyecare

Field screener equipment plays a vital role in modern eyecare, particularly in the early detection and monitoring of visual field defects. These devices are essential tools for optometrists and ophthalmologists, helping to identify conditions such as glaucoma, retinal diseases, and neurological disorders that affect vision.

What Is a Field Screener?

A field screener is a diagnostic device used to assess a patient’s visual field—the total area in which objects can be seen in the peripheral vision while the eye is focused on a central point. Unlike full-scale perimeters, field screeners are typically compact, portable, and easy to use, making them ideal for both clinical and mobile settings.

Key Features of Field Screeners

1. Portability
   Many modern field screeners are lightweight and handheld or tabletop devices, allowing for use in various environments, including clinics, community health centres, and even home visits.
2. Ease of Use
   These devices often feature intuitive interfaces and automated testing procedures, enabling quick assessments with minimal training.
3. Rapid Screening
   Field screeners are designed for fast testing, making them ideal for high-volume practices or initial screenings before more comprehensive exams.
4. Digital Integration
   Many models offer connectivity with electronic health records (EHR) systems, allowing for seamless data storage, sharing, and analysis.

Common Applications in Eyecare

• Glaucoma Detection: Early signs of glaucoma often appear as peripheral vision loss. Field screeners help detect these changes before symptoms become noticeable.
• Neurological Assessment: Visual field loss can indicate neurological issues such as stroke, brain tumours, or optic nerve damage.
• Monitoring Retinal Conditions: Diseases like diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration can affect the visual field, and regular screening helps track progression.
• Occupational Vision Testing: Field screeners are used in occupational health to ensure workers meet visual standards for safety-critical jobs.

Types of Field Screeners

• Static Field Screeners: Present fixed light stimuli at various locations to map the visual field.
• Kinetic Field Screeners: Use moving stimuli to determine the boundaries of the visual field.
• Virtual Reality (VR) Field Screeners: Emerging technology that uses VR headsets to simulate traditional perimetry in a portable format.

Field screener equipment is an indispensable part of modern eyecare, offering a fast, efficient, and accessible way to detect and monitor visual field defects. As technology continues to evolve, these tools are becoming more compact, accurate, and integrated with digital systems, enhancing their value in both clinical and community settings.

See our field screeners here